Of the three shrines that comprise the Kumano Sanzan shrines, the last shrine we visited was the Kumano Nachi Taisha. On our recent camping trip, we had not sure we would visit all three shrines, but we were sure we would make it atleast to the Kumano Nachi Taisha. Like the Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha is one of the main destinations on the sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, collectively forming part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.
The Kumano Nachi Taisha is a large complex with temples, shrines and other sites and is a good example of the unique fusion and harmonious co-existence of Buddhism and Shintoism. The Kumano shrines have been worshipped and visited for centuries and date back to the time before Buddhism was introduced to Japan. When Buddhism was introduced to the Kumano region somewhere in the 6th century, the Buddhist deities were depicted as versions of Japanese Shinto Kami and the concept of Shinbutsu Shugo evolved which promoted the harmonious coexistence of Buddhist and Shinto beliefs. The Nachi Shrine is a living proof of this concept.
The Nachi Taisha Shrine (Shinto) and the Seiganto-ji Temple (Buddhist) stand next to each other and had functioned as one religious institution for a large part of history.
Paved stone routes through the woods lead visitors up to the hill to the shrine and the temple.
The Nachi Falls at 133 meters is often credited as the tallest waterfall in Japan and figures in the three best waterfalls of Japan along with Fukuroda-no-Taki in Ibaraki prefecture and Kegon Falls in Tochigi Prefecture.
The Nachi Waterfall has been worshipped over the centuries in line with the Shinto belief of worshipping nature.
Visitors can offer prayers to the waterfall at the Hiro shrine at the foot of the waterfall.
The Kumano Nachi Taisha is said to have been originally located near the foot of the mountain and was moved to its current location later. The waterfalls make a majestic sight even from the distance.
The Seigantoji temple, a Tendai Buddhism temple, next door is said to have founded by a Buddhist priest who had arrived in Kumano in the 4th century from India. Interesting to note is that the temple's foundation is said to date to the 4th century while Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China in 6th century.
The wooden hall of the temple was built in 1590 and is said to be the oldest building in Kumano area.
The three storied Pagoda of the Seigantoji temple and the Nachi Falls in the backdrop make up a spectacular sight.
We couldnt resist clicking shots of the waterfall and the pagoda from different spots either !
We saw many visitors dressed up in Heian period costumes and getting photographs clicked against the spectacular scenery.
An interesting sight was seeing some young girls in historical costumes clicking selfies of themselves on the cellphone.
Address: Wakayama Prefecture, 649-5301, Higashimuro District, Nachi Katsura cho,
Nachisan 8
Phone: 0735-55-0001
Opening hours : Kumano Nachi Taisha and Seigantoji Temple - 8:30-16:30 hrs
Nachi Waterfall: 6:00-16:30 hrs
Admission: Free for the Shrine, Waterfall and Temple.
300 yen for Nachi Shrine Treasure Hall
300 yen for Waterfall viewing platform
200 yen for Seiganto-ji pagoda
Kawayu is one of the most unique Onsen towns that we have visited in Japan. This onsen town located along the Oto river is nestled in the mountains of the Kumano region in Wakayama Prefecture.
The unique feature of this onsen is that bathers dig a hole in the gravel on the riverbank through which hot water gushes out. The cold water from the river mixes in this hot water to bring it to the right temperature for bathing.
Bathers can then sit in the pool they just dug and enjoy their outdoor pool. And bathers can wear bathing suits when using this onsen since this onsen is out in the open.
In winter, a giant rotenburo known as "Sen-nin-buro", meaning "Thousand People Bath" is prepared and public can use it for free.
Similar to other onsen towns, Kawayu also has its own share of Onsen hotels and bathing facilities. The river-side onsen area is in front of the Fuziya ryokan.
Kawayu also has a camping ground and the town is also popular among travellers visiting the Kumano Sanzan shrines. The Kumano Hongu Taisha, Dorokyo Gorge and Watase Onsen are also close by.
Address: Wakayama Prefecture 647-1717, Tanabe City, Hongu cho, Kawayu- 1452
Admission: Free
Useful Link: Kumano Tourism- Kawayu Onsen
The second of the Kumano Sanzan shrines that we visited was the Kumano Hayatama shrine. Having visited the Kumano Hongu Shrine, the previous evening, we had planned to visit the Kumano Hayatama shrine, Kumano Nachi shrine and Taiji Whale Museum on the second day of our camping trip. We passed by a section of the picturesque Dorokyo gorge on our way from the Watase campground to Shingu city, where the Kumano Hayatama shrine is located.
The Kumano Hayatama shrine, is located on the banks of the Kumanogawa river in Shingu city. In the old days, travellers would undertake a section of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage from the Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine to the Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine by boat. This waterway has been designated an UNESCO World Heritage as the only river pilgrimage route in the world.
The shrine is said to have been constructed in the 12th century, but the current buildings are a recent reconstruction. However like the other Kumano Sanzan shrines, the area is said to have been worshipped since the 3rd century. Originally the shrine is said to have been located at the site of the Kamikura shrine. It is believed that twelve Shinto deities, the kami, descended from heaven on the Gotobiki iwa rock on a hill near the Hayatama shrine. The Kamikura shrine stands at the exact spot where the deities are said to have descended. A steep stairway, some 500 odd steps takes visitors to this shrine. We did see a part of the Kamikura shrine's building and the sacred Gotobiki-iwa rock from the car as we drove through Shingu, but we did not visit the shrine.
The architecture of the Kumano Hayatama Shrine is similar to many Shinto shrines in the country.
An ancient Nagi tree is the sacred tree, located in the shrine precincts is worshipped too.
The leaves of the Nagi tree are considered a good luck charm for success in love as its leaves do not tear off. The tree has been designated a national treasure.
Pictures of the sacred three legged crow, the Yatagarasu can be seen at this shrine too.
We saw two bridal couples at the Kumano Hayatama shrine.
While one wedding ceremony was in progress, the other couple was walking on the shrine precincts, visiting the smaller shrines and sacred spots.
Address: 647-0081, Wakayama Prefecture, Shingu, Shingu-1
Phone: 0735-22-2533
Hours: 8:00-17:00 hrs
Closing Days: No Closing Days
Admission Fees: Free; Treasure Hall- 500 yen.
Kumano Kodo is an ancient network of pilgrimage routes in the Kii peninsula of Japan's Wakayama prefecture. The pilgrimage route also links Kumano area to the other pilgrimage centres of Koyasan, Ise, Yoshino and Omine and travellers have been visiting this area for centuries. The earliest mention about the Kumano pilgrimage can be found in 'Nihon shoki', the earliest book on Japan's history and which was compiled in 720 AD.
Kumano Kodo walking routes link the three important Shinto Shrines - Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha and Hayatama Taisha, collectively referred to as Kumano Sanzan. These three shrines enshrine the mountain spirits, a Shinto practice.These three shrines are collectively the head of about 3000 Kumano shrines in Japan. It is believed that visiting the Kumano Sanzan Shrines fees one of past sins and visitors will be bestowed with future happiness and passage to heaven after death. The Kumano Shrines are a good example of the harmonious co-existence of the Buddhism and Shintoism. Shinbutsu Shugo is a belief that Japanese deities are local manifestations of Buddhist figures. With the arrival of Buddhism from China, the prevalent Shinto religion adopted the Buddhist deities as a form of native kami. While each of the Kumano (shinto) shrines had its own distinctive form of nature worship, they also embraced the Buddhist deities and the temples enshrining these deities can be seen near the Kumano Sanzan. The Kumano region is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site , ' The Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range' in 2004. Today, these shrines are far more accessible thanks to road and railway connectivity but some of the ancient walking routes are still in existence.In the old days, a section of the pilgrimage route between the Kumano Hongu Taisha and the Kumano Hayatama Taisha had to be travelled by waterway. This route has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage as the only river pilgrimage route in the world.
On our recent camping trip to the Kumano area, we visited the Kumano Sanzan. The first shrine we visited was the Kumano Hongu Taisha.
The Kumano Hongu Taisha is the oldest of the Kumano Sanzan. Its original location was at Oyunohara on the sand banks at the confluence of the Kumanogawa and Otonashi rivers. All the Kumano Kodo routes lead to this sacred spot. A 33.9 meter tall Torii gate stands at the entrance of Oyunohara. it is said to be the biggest torii gate in the world !
The Kumano Hongu Taisha was relocated to its current location after the heavy floods of 1889.
A walking trail and stone steps through the tall trees leads to the hilltop shrine.
The shrine's wooden structure is considered to be the oldest type of shrine architecture in Japan.
The shrine's buildings enshrine its owns deity, the Kumano Gongen and also the deities of the other two Kumano shrines, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha along with the sun goddess Amaterasu.
A legendary creature associated with the Kumano Hongu Taisha is the three legged crow called "Yatagarasu". This sacred crow is regarded as a messenger of the Gods and is a symbol of the Kumano region. It is believed that the Yatagarasu was sent from Heaven to guide Emperor Jimmu on his initial journey from Kumano to Yamato (in present day Nara prefecture).
Visitors interested in the learning more about the sacred Kumano region should stop at the Kumano Hongu Heritage centre next to the Hongu Taisha mae bus stop.
For a few thousand yen, visitors can dress up in Heian era costumes and get photographs clicked against the backdrop of the shrine.
This is popular especially among young girls at all three Kumano shrines.
Address: Wakayama Prefecture, Tanabe city, Hongu cho, Hongu -1110
Phone: 0735-42-0009
Hours: 8:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs
Closing days: None
Admission: Free; Treasure Hall - 300 yen
Parking: Free parking lots available at Kinosato behind the Kumano Hongu Heritage Centre.
The Nachi Taisha Shrine (Shinto) and the Seiganto-ji Temple (Buddhist) stand next to each other and had functioned as one religious institution for a large part of history. 
Paved stone routes through the woods lead visitors up to the hill to the shrine and the temple. 
The Nachi Falls at 133 meters is often credited as the tallest waterfall in Japan and figures in the three best waterfalls of Japan along with Fukuroda-no-Taki in Ibaraki prefecture and Kegon Falls in Tochigi Prefecture.
The Nachi Waterfall has been worshipped over the centuries in line with the Shinto belief of worshipping nature.
Visitors can offer prayers to the waterfall at the Hiro shrine at the foot of the waterfall. 
The Kumano Nachi Taisha is said to have been originally located near the foot of the mountain and was moved to its current location later. The waterfalls make a majestic sight even from the distance.
The wooden hall of the temple was built in 1590 and is said to be the oldest building in Kumano area.
We couldnt resist clicking shots of the waterfall and the pagoda from different spots either !
An interesting sight was seeing some young girls in historical costumes clicking selfies of themselves on the cellphone.
